In a picturesque French city near Paris called Villepinte, two vibrant parishes have come together to kick off the Season of Creation in a beautiful and inspiring way. During their Sunday Mass, parishioners from St. Vincent de Paul and Notre Dame de l’Ascension joined forces in joyful hymns and heartfelt prayers, setting the tone for a series of activities planned for this special season.
Authored by the Laudato Si’ Movement
The parishes of St. Vincent de Paul and Notre Dame de l’Ascension in Villepinte, just outside Paris, recently celebrated the Feast of Creation to mark the beginning of the Season of Creation. They shared information about the activities of the Laudato Si’ Circle, a group that gathers in the parish, and outlined their plans for the upcoming Season of Creation.
Laudato Si’ Animator Sylvette Loubet took charge of organizing the event and ensured that all participants were deeply inspired by the theme of the season: “To hope and act with Creation”.
Exploring the Meaning of Celebration for Creation
During the Sunday Mass celebration, parishioners united in reciting a prayer for Creation penned by Pope Francis. Each attendee received a calendar with a daily action idea for the Season of Creation, spreading hope and positivity throughout the month-long season. The priest leading the Mass, Father Olivier Jean Ferlin Fakiraniaina, drew inspiration from the Season of Creation for his sermon and decided to join the Laudato Si’ Circle to pray for Creation.
Impacting the Faithful Community
After the Mass, Sylvette conversed with parishioners who expressed their satisfaction with the celebration. While it’s sometimes hard to gauge the immediate impact of such events, Sylvette believes that people are moved to take action in their daily lives, giving rise to a sense of hope. Small actions, like the growth of a flower from seeds distributed during last year’s event, show that individuals are becoming increasingly aware of their role in caring for Creation.
Upcoming Season of Creation Activities
The Sunday celebration marked just the beginning of an exciting lineup of Season of Creation activities scheduled in the parish until October 4. On September 21, a prayer vigil will be held, followed by a special celebration of Creation during all parish Masses on September 22, featuring a nature walk and prayers. The season will conclude on October 5 with a conference on St. Francis of Assisi and a Mass with a blessing for domestic animals. For more details on these activities, visit their Facebook page.
